A Great Guide To Creating A Research Paper For University

Research Paper- Myth Vs Reality

In almost all university courses, each student is required to submit a research paper. A fresher may have many misconceptions about it. Often students accept this paper as the conclusion of various primary and secondary sources or the summary of what other scholars have thought about a topic. But in reality, it is the culmination of one’s own understanding, analysis, evaluation and interpretation of a given topic, in a precise and creative manner and following a standard format.

What a research paper does to you?

A research paper is extremely essential if you are planning a career ahead in research. It gives you the opportunity to extend your knowledge beyond the ‘known’. It pushes you to ask questions and finding answers. A research paper teaches you- how to present your interpretation in a concise and formal manner before an audience.

Guide for creating a University research paper:

A great term paper begins with a quest for an interesting topic. You may talk to your professor for suggestion, but before that- prepare the background by reading generally about your chosen field. You can consult- encyclopedia Britannica, the suggested reading list of your syllabus, bibliographies of some scholarly articles that you will find in your library and in your text books, and as the last resort- go to internet.

It is best to select the topic (by consulting your professor) that you like. But after that, create your paper with a proper question starting with ‘why’ or ‘how’, especially if you are a social science student. Why a particular trend is prevalent in society? How a conception has been changed over different periods of time? And so on.

You must put your leverage upon primary sources and secondary sources, but mostly on the former. You must lay your hands on some real, fist-hand accounts. Set-up meetings with few scholars or experts related to your field. Use software packages to bring out statistical data. Prepare questionnaires. Don’t limit yourself by only reading and ‘googling’.

Your paper should include arguments and counter-arguments of a given topic. Your paper must not look like an extended book report with jargons. Form a solid argument in your paper and back it up by- logic, reasoning, orderliness and evidence. Think about the counter-argument and list them up along with their strengths and weaknesses.

Write the paper by following the format given by the university. Take care of the lucidness of language, spelling and grammar, citation, plagiarism; and most importantly- proof read the final draft multiple times.